AGP Executive Report

Wildlife & Climate: Scientists at Hatfield Marine Science Center say Pacific gray whales face a serious decline, but there’s “virtually no chance” of extinction—still, numbers are far below what they’ve been in the past. Disaster Risk: A Nepal-Tibet mountain collapse killed more than 1,300 people, and researchers warn warming and glacier retreat can make these events more common and more catastrophic. Oregon Conservation Policy: A fight over Winchester Dam near Roseburg is headed to Gov. Kotek’s office, with conservation groups arguing the dam owner is delaying fish-passage repairs. Habitat on Private Land: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will give free wildlife forage seed to Southern Oregon landowners later this month. Energy & Land Use: Hexagon Energy secured geothermal rights on about 145,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser timberland across Oregon and Washington, aiming for carbon-free power. Air & Pollution: A lawsuit alleges SpaceXAI used temporary generators without air permits, raising pollution concerns for nearby communities.

Winchester Dam Fight: Environmental groups say Gov. Tina Kotek’s office met with them as the dispute over whether to repair or remove Douglas County’s Winchester Dam drags on through legal delays. Geothermal Expansion: Hexagon Energy secured geothermal rights on about 145,000 acres of Weyerhaeuser timberland across Oregon and Washington, aiming for more than 3 gigawatts of power. Roadless Rule Comment Period: The Forest Service is extending the public comment window on rescinding the Roadless Area Conservation Rule by 15 days, pushing comments to Oct. 6. Recycling Modernization Act: A federal court action keeps Oregon’s packaging recycling modernization law in legal limbo, with enforcement paused while constitutional challenges proceed. Air Quality & Waste Rules: Lane Regional Air Protection Agency is seeking public comment on proposed updates to asbestos handling and disposal rules for homeowners and contractors. Wildlife Habitat Help: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will distribute free forage seed to southern Oregon landowners starting Sept. 24. Marijuana Crackdown: Oregon State Police and local partners seized about 110,000 illegal marijuana plants and 81,000 pounds of bulk marijuana in Clackamas and Marion counties.

Wildlife Habitat Help: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will hand out free wildlife forage seed to southern Oregon landowners starting Sept. 24, with two 15-pound bags available per property. Marijuana Crackdown: Oregon State Police and Clackamas County shut down a suspected drug trafficking operation, seizing about 110,000 illegal marijuana plants and 81,000 pounds of bulk marijuana worth an estimated $20 million, plus 86 firearms; a 35-year-old woman was arrested and worker conditions are under review. Local Governance: Ashland voters will decide in November whether most new or increased utility bill fees require voter approval, after residents argued recent fee changes hit renters harder. Air Quality & Health: Lane Regional Air Protection Agency is seeking public comment on proposed updates to Lane County asbestos rules for homeowners and contractors, aiming to align local handling and disposal with federal and state standards. Public Lands Process: The U.S. Forest Service extended the comment period on the Roadless Area Conservation Rule rollback plan, pushing the deadline to Oct. 6. Climate Watch: El Niño is strengthening, with a higher chance of a record-strong event that could mean milder winters and lower snowpack for the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon Water & Drought: A Rogue Valley irrigation districts op-ed argues curtailments came from an exceptionally dry winter, low snowpack and reduced streamflows, and says conservation and modernization efforts are ramping up as deliveries may end weeks early. Wildlife Protection: Oregon AG Nick Brown and a coalition of states reached for the courts to block federal Endangered Species Act rollbacks, while Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined new lawsuits challenging rules that weaken habitat safeguards. Free Speech & Public Safety: Rep. Paul Evans is pushing lawmakers to review Oregon’s TITAN anti-terrorism fusion center after a lawsuit alleges it violates free speech protections. PFAS Cleanup Delays: A Pentagon move again postpones PFAS “forever chemical” cleanup at many military sites, extending timelines for communities near bases. Wildfire Risk Research: Portland General Electric is launching a program measuring moisture in live plants to better predict wildfire risk, with help from NASA’s FireSense. Energy & Land Use: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a statewide pause on new data center development on state land through July 1, 2027, citing water, energy and environmental impacts. Local Water Rights: An Oregon rancher’s rainwater-storage case resurfaced after a TikTok video, with the state saying he lacked water rights. Diesel Costs: AAA reports Oregon diesel prices hitting new highs, with the statewide average near $6.35/gal.

Data Center Moratorium: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a statewide pause on new data center development on state land, directing agencies to halt unapproved easements, permits, leases, and transfers until July 1, 2027, citing pressure on water, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources. Climate & Disaster Resilience: Kotek also unveiled a Plan for a Resilient Oregon, a people-centered, multi-hazard strategy funded through disaster recovery grants to help communities prepare as extreme events intensify. Wildlife Health: Oregon’s largest bighorn sheep herd on the John Day River has detected a fatal pneumonia-causing bacteria (Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae), prompting efforts to track spread and strain. Public Lands & Wild Horses: A judge temporarily halted a BLM emergency operation to rescue about 400 wild horses from Riddle Mountain after a restraining order, as drought and wildfire impacts worsen food and water shortages. Geothermal Push: Hexagon Energy and Weyerhaeuser struck a deal to develop geothermal projects across Oregon and Washington, targeting up to 3 GW of clean, around-the-clock power. Invasive Chemical Watch: Oregon lawmakers are set to consider banning paraquat in 2027 over health concerns, including a possible link to Parkinson’s disease.

Endangered Species Act fight: Twenty states and Washington, D.C. sued the Trump administration over final rules that narrow what counts as “harm,” weaken protections for newly threatened species, and change how “critical habitat” objections are handled—setting up a major legal showdown over wildlife safeguards. Wildlife health in Oregon: Oregon wildlife officials reported California bighorn sheep along the John Day River tested positive for a serious pneumonia-linked infection, with no vaccine or treatment, and are working to reduce contact with disease vectors. Wolf conflict fallout: A new look at wolf restoration shows how livestock losses and policy uncertainty are fueling deep disputes between ranchers and wildlife agencies across the West. Local habitat work: Volunteers in Ashland placed gravel in Ashland Creek to improve steelhead spawning conditions, boosting habitat without taxpayer-funded construction. Recreation vs. conservation: Ashland Parks Commission voted against beginner mountain bike trails in Lithia Park, citing erosion and environmental concerns. Clean energy jobs: Bend and Earth Advantage plan a Sept. 19 green career day tied to Central Oregon’s cleaner-building and clean-energy pathways. Wildlife in your neighborhood: Police warned residents about a bear cub near Wildflower Park in southwest Bend and urged people to secure food and garbage.

Endangered Species Act Fight: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and a coalition of 20 states and D.C. sued federal wildlife agencies to block Trump-era rules that narrow what counts as “harm” to protected species and weaken “critical habitat” protections—changes critics say make it easier to degrade habitat for listed threatened and endangered species. Oregon Data Center Pressure: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek paused new data center approvals on state land and in state buildings for about a year (until July 1, 2027), after demonstrators pushed for a longer moratorium; meanwhile, Eugene said a proposed data center isn’t allowed at the former Hyundai/Hynix site under zoning rules. Local Rangeland Rules: The Trump administration’s proposed overhaul of federal livestock grazing rules drew pushback from conservation groups, who warn it could tip public-land management toward ranching at the expense of wildlife habitat and other uses. Wildlife on the Ground: Portland-area animal advocates launched “Hoot, Don’t Shoot” billboards opposing a federal plan to kill hundreds of thousands of barred owls over decades, arguing it’s costly and could boost logging. Community Wildlife Safety: Bend officials reported a bear cub sighting and urged residents to keep distance so it can reunite with its mother. Education & Pollinators: A Southern Oregon program, Pollinator Pals, is turning kids’ fear of bugs into hands-on learning about native plants and pollinators. School Health Alert: Riddle Elementary in Douglas County closed temporarily due to bat activity and a rabies uptick.

Packaging & Recycling: A federal court upheld Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, clearing the way for the state’s packaging extended producer responsibility program after a constitutional challenge. Data Centers & Water/Power: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a pause on unapproved data-center requests tied to state land and buildings through July 1, 2027, as advocates push for a longer statewide moratorium over impacts to water, electricity, infrastructure, and communities. Sage Grouse Protections: A judge blocked livestock grazing in Oregon BLM sage grouse research areas after finding the agency’s 2025 plan violated environmental laws and improperly reduced protected acreage. Wildlife Policy Fight: Portland-area billboards are urging federal officials to halt a barred owl cull plan that could kill up to 450,000 owls over 30 years, arguing it won’t fix the underlying problem for spotted owls. Clean Water Rulemaking: The EPA proposed ending Clean Water Act discharge permits for certain offshore processing ships beyond three miles, with public comments due Oct. 19. Wildfire Recovery (Oregon): Oregon Housing and Community Services says it has helped rebuild nearly 1,500 homes after the 2020 wildfires using state and federal funding.

Data centers vs. Oregon communities: Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a pause on unapproved data center requests for state-owned land and related approvals until July 1, 2027, after protests over impacts to water, energy, and infrastructure; Eugene also rejected a data center fit under existing zoning at the former Hynix site. Wildlife conservation under pressure: Advocates launched “Hoot, Don’t Shoot” billboards in Portland opposing a federal plan that could lethally remove up to 450,000 barred owls over 30 years, arguing for nonlethal alternatives. Species survival update: A new study says northern spotted owls are approaching “functional extinction” in parts of the Pacific Northwest, including the Oregon Coast and Washington Cascades. Oregon wildlife health: Oregon wildlife officials detected Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in the John Day River bighorn sheep herd, raising alarm for a population of about 1,000. Fire readiness: Klamath-Lake fire partners lowered danger to high and eased restrictions slightly, while warning drier conditions could return. Statewide resilience funding: FEMA approved nearly $5 million for Oregon post-disaster repairs and hazard mitigation. Youth mental health capacity: Nexus Family Healing opened a 12-bed secure inpatient youth behavioral health facility in Eugene, adding capacity statewide.

Wildfire worker protections: Oregon OSHA says employee complaints about extreme heat and wildfire smoke hit an all-time high this summer, with at least 44 complaints logged between June 1 and Aug. 18 as record fires scorched 2.5 million acres. Bird-friendly lighting: Central Oregon groups are launching “Lights Out” to cut artificial light from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during peak fall migration, aiming to reduce bird collisions and disorientation. Forest policy fight: Oregon conservation groups are warning that the proposed rollback of the federal Roadless Rule could raise wildfire risk and harm wildlife, drinking water, and recreation across millions of acres, including about 2 million in Oregon. Glacier loss in the Cascades: Reporting from the Three Sisters finds glaciers acting like late-summer “reservoirs” but continuing to shrink, with impacts for water, ecosystems, and communities. Wildlife agency staffing cuts: A Center for Biological Diversity report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff are down sharply, including a 40% drop in Oregon since 2024. Data center backlash: National coverage highlights growing public opposition to data centers over water, air quality, and power costs, with lawsuits also targeting alleged pollution and noise impacts.

Federal Wildlife Policy Shift: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ended the annual Federal Register rulemaking for migratory bird hunting seasons, moving season details into a three-year memorandum cycle—changing the paperwork, not the basic harvest decisions states make. Oregon Wildlife & Habitat: A drought-stressed Northwest is seeing historic dry conditions that are worsening wildfire risk and straining water supplies, with impacts rippling to fish and ecosystems. Portland’s Wildlife Spectacle: About 1,500 crows are already gathering downtown, with researchers expecting more than 20,000 by winter as the Portland Crow Roost swells. Conservation Staffing Cuts: Center for Biological Diversity reports Fish and Wildlife staffing is down sharply, including a 40% drop in Oregon since 2024, raising concerns for species protection capacity. Wildfire Preparedness in Oregon: Six years after the Almeda Fire, local officials are still working through lessons on communication and evacuation planning. Energy & Oceans: Oregon State’s PacWave South wave test site opened off Newport as the first grid-connected U.S. wave energy test, aiming to speed development of a largely untapped resource. Local Land Use: Wallowa County commissioners will consider objections to the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision draft environmental impact statement.

Fuel & Freight Transition: Europe’s push for zero-emission trucking is heating up as Germany becomes the stage for a major fuel cell truck collaboration tied to IAA Transportation in Hanover. Energy Costs: Oregon diesel prices jumped to a new high (about $6.25/gal), underscoring how freight and emergency power costs can rise fast when fuel markets tighten. Drought & Wildfire Impacts: Northwest climatologists warn historic drought is driving extreme fire conditions and stressing water supplies across Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Wetlands for Water Quality & Wildlife: In Klamath County, an Oregon farmer converted 70 acres of barley fields into a managed wetland—now drawing tens of thousands of birds and supporting federally endangered fish. Salmon & Coastal Economy: Gov. Tina Kotek secured a one-year reprieve for Oregon’s SAFE salmon fisheries program, protecting Buoy 10 and other Lower Columbia fisheries. Recycling Policy: Oregon’s packaging recycling overhaul is moving forward after a court upheld the producer-fee model, with officials saying improvements are only beginning. Marine Pollution: A study found microplastics in nearly all Maya octopus samples off Mexico’s Campeche coast, a reminder of plastic’s reach into food webs. Community Climate Education: Central Oregon LandWatch’s Livable Future Forum returns in October with speakers focused on building an ecologically just future.

Salmon Funding Reprieve: Gov. Tina Kotek says federal Bonneville Power Administration will restore funding for Oregon’s SAFE salmon fisheries program for one more federal fiscal year, protecting millions of salmon and the Buoy 10 fishery near Astoria. Recycling Overhaul: Oregon’s revamped recycling system is moving forward after a court upheld the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, shifting more costs toward producers and aiming to improve access statewide. Wildlife & Water Resilience: A USGS study finds beaver dams along Portland-area creeks can store hundreds to over 1,200 cubic meters of stormwater, slowing runoff and buying time during floods. Ocean Recovery: Oregon’s yelloweye rockfish fishery will reopen next year after a 25-year closure, following rebuilding assessments. Air Quality & Health: Researchers report elevated lead levels around Portland-area airports, tied to leaded aviation fuel used by small aircraft. Energy & Rates: PGE customers get modest electricity rate relief under Oregon’s POWER Act, while data centers face higher costs as demand surges. Community Access at Willamette Falls: Four major projects are underway to restore public access and Indigenous presence at Willamette Falls, despite major cleanup and land hurdles. Staffing Cuts at U.S. Fish and Wildlife: Federal data shows Fish and Wildlife staffing down sharply nationwide, with Oregon down about 40% since Trump 2.0.

Electricity Costs & Data Centers: Portland General Electric customers saw modest rate cuts under Oregon’s POWER Act, while costs for data centers rose about 29.7% as demand from data centers keeps climbing. Wildlife & Flood Control: A new USGS study found beaver dams along Portland-area creeks (Fanno and Bronson) stored hundreds to over 1,200 cubic meters more water during storms, slowing runoff enough to help communities respond. Lead at Oregon Airports: Researchers from Oregon State and Portland State report elevated lead levels around Hillsboro and Troutdale airports, tied to leaded aviation fuel used by small aircraft. Federal Staffing Cuts: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has shed thousands of jobs, with Oregon down about 40% since 2024, raising concerns for conservation capacity. Wolf Protections in Flux: A Trump order launches a review that could weaken Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican wolves. Energy Infrastructure: Pacific Power released preliminary preferred routes for a major transmission project through Central and Southern Oregon after public pushback. School Budget Strain: Oregon districts face layoffs and closures amid enrollment declines and funding drops, with Portland Public Schools bracing for major cuts.

Federal Wildlife Staffing Cuts: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has shed about 3,600 jobs during Trump’s second term, with Oregon down 40% since 2024 (434 staff to 257), raising alarms for species protection and field work. Salmon Funding Reprieve: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek won a one-year extension of BPA funding for the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) Program, protecting millions of Lower Columbia River salmon and avoiding a $2.4 million gap for partners. Lead Pollution Near Airports: An Oregon State University study found tree moss near Portland-area airports (Hillsboro and Troutdale) with lead levels up to 7 times higher than elsewhere, tracing much of it to aviation gas from piston-engine aircraft. Wolf Protections Under Review: Trump ordered a federal review that could weaken Endangered Species Act protections for gray and Mexican wolves, with states and livestock-loss compensation in the mix. Roadside Wildlife Safety: The Oregon Wildlife Foundation is urging drivers to slow down during fall migration when deer and elk collisions peak. Water Quality at the Coast: Curry County’s Mill Beach was cleared after fecal bacteria advisories, while other beaches faced continued closures ahead of Labor Day.

Wildlife & Roads: The Oregon Wildlife Foundation is urging drivers to slow down during fall migration, warning that deer and elk collisions peak in October and November. Salmon Fisheries: Gov. Tina Kotek won a one-year reprieve for Oregon’s Lower Columbia salmon fisheries after Bonneville Power Administration reversed a decision to end funding for the SAFE program. Water Quality: Oregon Health Authority issued a fecal bacteria advisory for Oceanside Beach ahead of Labor Day, and later lifted a similar advisory for Mill Beach in Curry County after follow-up testing. Federal Wildlife Staffing: A new report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staffing is down sharply nationwide, with Oregon down 40% since 2024. Conservation Litigation Scrutiny: A House Natural Resources committee is investigating Oregon groups Oregon Wild and Cascadia Wildlands over how they receive legal fees after winning environmental cases. Wolf Protections: A Trump executive order gives the Interior Department 90 days to decide whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves have recovered enough to lose federal protections. Energy Siting: Researchers expect 2027 to bring the “biggest year yet” for state energy siting bills, with many proposals restricting renewable projects. Data Centers & Public Pressure: An op-ed argues opposition to data centers is being driven by foreign influence and misinformation campaigns. Community Conservation Event: Oregon Wildlife Foundation welcomed Oregon State Police Conservation K-9 teams at Bonneville Fish Hatchery, part of a September push to support wildlife protection.